The tourists are facing back-to-back setbacks as Sarfraz Ahmed, the wicketkeeper-batsman and vice-captain, has flown back home after his mother was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Karachi with a serious illness.

“Kamran Akmal is likely to replace Sarfraz, who will take the first available flight back home,” local media reported on Wednesday.

Earlier, left-arm quick Mohammad Irfan also flew back home following the demise of his mother in Pakistan.

Junaid Khan, who was named as a replacement for Irfan, is set to join the team today.

Mohammad Hafeez, who has returned to the Pakistan ODI set-up after his inclusion was requested by captain Azhar Ali and coach Mickey Arthur, also joined the team yesterday.

Pakistan, who were whitewashed in the three-match Test series against Australia, play their second ODI in Melbourne on January 15, followed by visits to Perth, Sydney and Adelaide on January 19, January 22 and January 26 for the remaining games.